The effects of our wet, cold planting season continue to surface. If you drive through the country now, you’re likely to see Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) and White Mold affecting soybean fields. You may find Northern Corn Leaf Blight and Goss’s Wilt in corn fields. You’ll also see a growing number of weedy fields.

Seed selection is the key to effective management in all the above instances. Planting tolerant varieties, or avoiding very susceptible varieties, is the most effective way to reduce yield loss. Be sure you note the rating given to each product in a seed catalog before you select it for a particular field.

Weeds also can be managed through careful seed selection.

This growing season we’ve had many farmers, like Mike Albertsen of western Iowa, seek out Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds for our strong lineup of LibertyLink soybeans. Due to increased weed pressure across the Upper Midwest, LibertyLink soybeans are in high demand for the 2016 planting season. It’s not too soon to place your order with Latham!

To help simplify your seed selection process, Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds designates some of its most defensive products as IRONCLAD™ Soybeans. These brands include exceptional genetics and industry-leading protective traits to win the battle against yield-robbing pests and disease. These products are selected for their “defensive” characteristics, but that doesn’t mean you’ll sacrifice yield. In fact, our results in the 2014 F.I.R.S.T. Trials shows how Latham’s IRONCLAD brands actually protect yield.

NOTE: Each Latham® soybean brand that receives the IRONCLAD distinction must be Soybean Cyst Nematode resistant and carry an Iron Deficiency Chlorosis rating of 2.2 or better.  In addition, it must protect against either White Mold or Sudden Death Syndrome with a rating of 2.2 or higher. Plus, IRONCLAD products have strong defensive ratings against Phytophthora Root Rot and Brown Stem Rot.

We know that corn acres face their share of challenges, too. That why Latham brand hybrids with the GLADIATOR™ designation combine the industry’s top genetics and traits including a mandatory rootworm event. In our 2016 product guide, you’ll see that GLADIATOR hybrids with single modes of action against rootworm are denoted with a “G” distinction. Products with dual modes of action against root worm are denoted with a “2G.” If you’re planting corn-on-corn or you’re in an area with severe rootworm pressure, make these products part of your 2016 crop plan!

We take pride in working with our customers to help them select the seed products that will help maximize yields and increase profitability. If you have questions about what trait might be best for your fields, please send us an email or call 1-877-GO-LATHAM (1-877-465-2842).

Mid-season crop scouting is especially important because different insect and disease pressures become evident at this time of year. Any type of stress greatly enhances the likelihood of opportunistic insects such as corn leaf aphids, European corn borer and armyworm to feed upon plants.  In soybeans, we might see soybean aphids, two-spotted spider mites and Japanese Beetles.

There hasn’t been a great deal of insect or disease pressure yet this season, but that doesn’t mean we can rest on our laurels. High humidity and heavy dew creates ideal conditions for diseases like Northern Corn Leaf Blight (NCLB). Fungal diseases like Sudden Death Syndrome are more evident in late July and early August, too.

Taking field notes now can help farmers develop a fall harvest plan. They’ll want to keep a close eye on stalks that have been damaged because those will be prone to stalk lodging, ear dropping and repeat infestations. Field notes also will help these farmers choose seed for 2016 planting.

One reason stalks may be damaged is from corn borer feeding. At this point in the season, corn borers have burrowed into the stalk and foliar applications are no longer effective.

Black cutworm could be a larger problem this year as they’re known to cause more damage in fields where corn is planted later.  Fields of higher risk also include those that are poorly drained and low lying; those next to areas of natural vegetation; and those that are weedy or have reduced tillage.

Also due to the wide variance in planting dates, rootworm beetles may move between fields in search of the best “buffet.”  A late maturing corn field may attract a large numbers of beetles if neighboring corn stopped producing pollen, for example.  Rootworm beetles may also move into corn and/or soybean fields that have an abundance of pollen-producing weeds, including volunteer corn, ragweed or foxtails.

Controlling weeds will help control corn rootworm populations, as well as other insects like Two-spotted Spider Mites and aphids. Mites and aphids begin feeding along field edges, especially in weedy areas, before eventually developing into a field-wide infestation. Many common insecticides aren’t overly effective on Spider Mites, so carefully read the labels of any products.

Another insect to watch for in both corn and soybean fields is Japanese Beetles. These beetles will literally eat anything that’s green! They seem to prefer the leaf tissue between the veins of soybean leaves and the soft silks of corn plants.  Both activities can result in significant yield loss, so that’s why it’s especially important to scout for Japanese Beetles.

If you’re seeing Japanese beetles now, make note and watch from them again in early spring. Adult Japanese beetles emerge around early to mid-June and begin feeding on low-lying plants. They eventually move to trees and field crop foliage where they feed and mate. Mated females move back to grass in August and September to lay small egg masses in soil cavities. The eggs hatch into small grubs that feed on roots underground until late September when the temperature cools. The almost fully-grown grubs burrow down in the soil and remain inactive all winter. In the early spring, grubs become active again and feed until turning into resting pupae. The pupae hatch into adults and emerge from the soil – and the cycle begins again!

Walking fields and noting where there is both weed and insect pressure will help farmers determine an action plan now, as well as in the future. Field notes in 2015 will help farmers determine whether they need to change modes of action when making their 2016 seed decisions.

Remember, family-owned Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds offers the industry’s broadest product portfolio of corn, soybean and alfalfa products specifically designed to thrive in our geography. For more information, contact your local Latham® representative or call 1-877-GO-LATHAM (1.877.465.2842).

Black cutworm moths have made their appearance across Latham Territory. Now is the time to scout your fields to determine if an insecticide application is the best economical decision for your particular circumstance.

Black cutworm moths gravitate towards green vegetation for egg laying, so they will first appear in weedy fields and ones that are next to natural vegetation. Poorly drained, low laying fields also have a higher risk of black cutworm damage. Black cutworm moths travel in from southern states, laying eggs in the field, then producing black cutworm larvae.

Damage from these insects usually begins above soil service. Newly hatched black cutworm larvae will leave small, irregular holes in the leaves. When walking fields, scout for feedings off the corn plant, which will become more substantial as the worms mature. Black cutworms can cut off young corn plants and reduce crop stands. It is advised to watch for signs of cutworm damage beginning when the corn emerges.

The map below shows the predicted black cutworm cutting dates, provided by the Iowa State University Extension, based upon research performed throughout the state.

This year, the pattern of the black cutworm moths has been irregular. This makes scouting even more essential.

“With the recent cooler temperatures, emergence of both cutworms and army worms has been delayed,” said Jerry Broders, Latham® Regional Sales Manager for Eastern Iowa.

The cutworm and armyworm are comparable in appearance with similar economic thresholds. The variance in eating patterns is where these insects differ. Black cutworms chew off more mature corn plants, whereas armyworms feed on the leaves.

“My advice is to spray fields as soon you see these insects,” Broders said. “ I have seen cutworms take out a field overnight. They can do severe damage when seedlings are emerging.”

Trait selection is no substitute for scouting, Broders said. He advises that farmers continually scout for insects, because it is going to be a dense year. Download the spreadsheet here to help with black cutworm management decision.

Broders advises all farmers to continue scouting their fields and apply insecticide if necessary. Contact your Latham® Dealer or Regional Sales Manager to discuss the management decisions for your fields.